Neanderthals had a sensitive side, researchers say

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Despite their brutal reputation, Neanderthals may have been more caring than was previously thoughtReuters

Last updated at 12:46PM, October 5 2010

Neanderthals were not the thuggish creatures of popular myth but were imbued
with a deep-seated sense of compassion, research has suggested.

A team from the University of York examined archaeological evidence for the
way emotions emerged in our ancestors and developed in modern humans.

In Europe between 500,000 and 40,000 years ago, early humans such as Homo
heidelbergensis and Neanderthals developed a commitment to the welfare
of others, They hunted together and cared for the injured and infirm,
according to the findings.

Remains examined by the researchers revealed how a child with a congenital
brain abnormality was not abandoned but